Reviews: BE Band, body pillows and maternity jeans

 I wish I were at church this morning; my spirit needs it!!  But I was so sleepy and slept 9 1/2 hours straight!  I should be doing dishes, folding laundry, checking the stove, making Tim a huckleberry pie (his belated Valentines gift....).  Instead I'm blogging. 

Speaking of Valentine's Day gifts, mine was a body pillow.  There are specialty body pillows made for pregnancy that are in the shape of an elongated "C", that some women swear by.  One of my friends claims that she would not have made it through her pregnancy without it.  (We don't really have a choice to "make" it through pregnancy, do we?)  Anyway, I looked into it and it goes for $60.  Hmm...these days I can think of many other things to spend $60 on, especially after the accident with a baby coming!  Then again, I spent about $60 on new maternity jeans from Gap, so...it's all about priorities.

Anyway, I was even too cheap to buy myself a $10 body pillow from Target.  I would use a pillow on my head, one between my knees, and a small blanket to cushion between belly and bed.  It's not the most comfortable set-up, but it did work fairly well.

My new body pillow blows it all out of the water.  I snuggle around it and hug it to fall asleep and it supports back, hip, belly and those darn arms that get in the way and ache while sleeping on my side.  It's absolutely heavenly.  I 100% recommend at least spending $10 at Target for a  body pillow.  I don't know how I lived without it.  What a thoughtful gift! 

Although Tim told me that he would return it to the store if I don't cuddle with him anymore.  That big old belly sure gets in the way of cuddling with your spouse though! 


The BE Band by BellaBand was an item that I purchased early in pregnancy and was possibly the best $18 I spent.  Many veteran preggos recommended this item to me.  It allowed me to wear my regular clothes through about month 5 1/2. 

The best way to describe the BE Band is to imagine a pair of maternity pants with the big belly panel.  Cut off the big stretchy panel and you have the BE Band.  Basically, you can begin to wear it whenever you grow out of the rubber band trick.  You unbotton or unzip your pants to a place where they are comfortable around your expanding waistline and put the BE Band over the top of your pants.  It keeps your pants on and comfortable around your waist.

The only thing to watch for with the BE Band is that sometimes while it fits snugly over your belly, it will separate from your jeans in the back a little, showing some skin at your rear waistline.  If your pants are unzipped far enough, you may chance some plumber pants. 

Otherwise, this item is the best thing I bought during early pregnancy.

Finally, I'd like to review pregnancy pants.  I have several pairs that were either loaned to me, bought at consignment or the one pair I splurged on.  Some women can wear the small stretchy band type pregnancy jeans throughout the whole pregnancy and some can use the BE Band throughout the entire pregnancy.  I am not one of those women. 

I have the following brands of pregnancy pants:  Motherhood corderoys, Old Navy lightweight capris and jeans, one pair Gap black pants and three pair of Gap jeans.  I know this sounds like a lot, but most of these were loaned to me; I only bought two pair of all of these new.  Everything else is either loaned or second-hand.  Hands down, the Gap and Old Navy brands fit me the best and are the cutest style. 

Somehow Gap can take maternity and turn it into something oh, so cute!  From months 2-5 1/2, I lived in a pair of borrowed, small stretch band Gap jeans.  Then one day James just kicked and fussed all day because the band was too tight on him, so I went shopping.

Never go shopping with a girlfriend who loves Gap.  You will leave the sore with more than you intended.

Also, never, ever buy full price at Gap if at all possible.  Maternity pants there are ridiculoulsy expensive!  My new dark blue panel jeans were priced at $69.99!  Now, I understand that for a good pair of jeans, sometimes you do have to spend a little.  But $70??? No way, not for this middle income gal with purchases adding up, baby on the way, a mortgage to pay and state jobs in a state with lots of budget problems.  So I was able to get them at a reduced price of about $50.  Still pretty spendy but oh, so worth it.  I wear them about 4 days a week and I feel "pretty" in them.  I feel like a curvy girl and not a big blob. 

The other recommendation I'd make is to look on Craigslist for other gals selling maternity clothes.  I've gotten some really cute, brand name items from Craigslist.

Well it's time to get to that huckleberry pie.  I know, you are all jealous!  I can't wait to take this baby huckleberry picking!